Otley Courthouse – a unique arts and resource centre,created and run by local people, and a marvellous staff team, in Otley, West Yorkshire.

Our Summer programme is out now, and is on our What’s On page. Pick up a copy at the Courthouse if you’re not on our mailing list – or download it here. Tickets are available at the box office, by phone, or online, now.

We are recruiting a Sunday Caretaker / Site Superviser. Please click here for more information.

Click on the cover image to view our Summer 2013 programme. It’s packed with great events – music, film, theatre, comedy, children’s shows, burlesque, a mountain festival, dance and art.

Support the Courthouse by using Give as you Live

Stuck for that perfect gift? Buy an Otley  Courthouse gift voucher, or tickets for our Summer 2013 programme.

Sign up for our 2nd MiniMountain Festival challenges in July – Walk, Run, Climb, Cycle – and enter the photographic competition

Coming up… click image for info

Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys – jaw-dropping showmanship – Friday 21st June

Salsa at Otley Courthouse – Class followed by a friendly Dance Social – Sat 22nd June

On Yer Bike Creative Writing Workshop – Saturday 22nd June

Celtic Connections – Year of the Celt book launch – Thursday27th June

Leeds Jazz Orchestra – Big Band Jazz to blow you away – FrIday 28th June

see What’s On page for more events

What’s new? – click image for info

Memories of Otley Courthouse book – part of our Heritage project – on sale now £7

Otley MiniMountain Festival 2 – sign up for some great challenges – 12th – 14th July

Check out our new Otley Town pages – Otley information at your fingertips

Pop in and see the range of artistic gifts in our Craft Cabinets

Pic ‘n’ Knits – come along to our friendly knitting group every Saturday

What do we offer? – click image for info

Huge range of regular activities

Check out the services we offer

We have rooms to suit your needs

A great place to hold your party …

…or to hold a children’s party

Varied volunteering opportunities

Meet up and relax in our Cafe

Great music, theatre and film on your doorstep

Promote your own gig …

… or stage your own play

Meeting or conference venue

Heritage Victorian Cell block

Exhibitions

Otley Courthouse hosts a different exhibition every month:

June – Otley Art Club – preview on Sunday 2nd June at 6.30pm

July – Joy Godfrey: Printmaking based on local landscape.

Chris Bailey: Fused Glassware.

Otley Mini-Mountain Festival (2) Photographic exhibition

August – Janet Cook: Photography

Sheila Mudhar: Mandalas and Drawings.

Otley Mini-Mountain Festival (2) Photographic exhibition

If you would like to submit your work for

consideration for a future exhibition please contact  exhibitions@otleycourthouse.org.uk

… there’s a perfect example – Otley Courthouse has been taken up … and used as an Arts Centre and theatre – really well used by members of the public … – BBC Radio 4

The artists who appear at the Courthouse love us:

“THANK YOU OTLEY FOR MAKING OUR FIRST GIG ON THE TOUR ONE OF THE BEST EVER! YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING!!!!”  Habadekuk

“Your venue is a delight – the acoustic is divine and the atmosphere is really lively and friendly. I wish all venues were like it!” Jonathan Prag – Classical Guitarist

“We’ve heard a lot about Otley and Ilkley – more about Otley though!” – Old Dance School

” What a great venue you’ve got here in Otley” – John Doyle

“I love this place” – Karen Tweed

“Hot, sweaty and wonderful” – Shooglenifty

” A great acoustic venue” – Phil Beer of Show of Hands

“Thanks you so much for hosting Julaba Kunda on Saturday. What a fantastic venue, excellent hosts, good sound crew and a delightful audience!”

Worbey and Farrell tweeted “arrived Otley Courthouse and it’s all very lovely got a great feeling it’s going to be a wonderful night” … (and indeed it was!).

Uiscedwr’s response to the Courthouse audience after their recent gig – “Fab”

Maybe the last word should come from some recent visitors …

“… were really impressed with it all.
Full marks for the venue and for the really pleasant and helpful staff who were on duty.” Planet of the Baybes audience member – January 2013

“Lovely place, lovely staff. I really liked the warm welcome and a delightful visit. Helped by a great performance from Hope and Social.”
Visitor from Wigan. 5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 December 2012 on Trip Advisor.

“The Courthouse has so many different experiences on offer its hard to list them all – they include the Film Society (great films (twice) a month, plus they’ve just started doing “Blockbusters” which they call C@tch at the Courthouse), also great music of all sorts from folk to world music to classical to choral, drama (they’ll probably be doing a pantomime or some sort of Christmas show), science fairs, antique fairs, it’s the meeting place for loads of clubs and societies, and with all this going on they still manage to be friendly and welcoming – even after only a few visits you will be recognised and greeted like an old friend.
This week I went to the first C@tch film which was Avengers Assemble, based on old Marvel comics and featuring Superman and the Incredible Hulk among others in a thoroughly up-to-date adventure, great fun, and with popcorn and ice cream on sale too – great!” – Review on TripAdvisor

“Just  to say how much we enjoyed the science cafe last night and buffet lunch today. This was our first experience of Otley Courthouse and what a fantastic place it is. I was amazed last night at how many staff were there. Everyone was so friendly and the events were very interesting.  Sadly public transport links from Keighley, where I live, are not great, as I would love to attend some more of the evening events. We will certainly try and attend some more science cafe events. Many thanks to all concerned and congratulations on creating a wonderful facility for the people of Otley – I hope they appreciate how lucky they are!” – Science Festival visitor

“This is such a wonderful vibrant place which caters for many different tastes. It is great for Otley people as it offers a variety of music e.g. world, folk, classical and brings local and international artists. Creative arts are featured such as painting and photography exhibitions. Once a month (linking in with the farmer’s market) there is a craft fair. Workshops are provided for many people including school aged children during the holidays.
Tea, coffee, and delicious cakes are on the menu and can be recommended.
The centre seems to bring the heart of the community together with staffing provided mostly by volunteers. Visit and see what you think” – Review on TripAdvisor

“We’ve come to all different kinds of things here, and we’ve never been disappointed – a really friendly place.”

“Can I just say how fantastic the Courthouse is, the space, the friendliness of the staff and general facilities. It was absolutely perfect and the party was brilliant. The two young men who organised the sporty activities were really impressed with the space. I couldn’t recommend the Courthouse enough to anyone that asked, many thanks to you and all your colleagues. “- parent after a 5 year old’s birthday party.

“I really like going to the Courthouse” – a participant in our Half term craft workshops overheard when being collected by her mum.

“It was magic”  – visitor to our annual Science Fair – not completely on message.

“On Sunday evening we attended the performance by Aly Bain and company. We knew it would be a good night, as we’ve seen Aly many times before. What was less expected was the warm welcome we received from everyone at the Courthouse, despite that fact that we had never visited before. Everyone seemed very ready to do everything possible to make the evening run smoothly, and to make sure everyone was happy. We rapidly decided that this was one of the friendliest venues we have ever visited, and we do tend to get around the country quite a bit.We do not expect to be regular visitors, as the round trip from home is around 140 miles, but we certainly intend to keep an eye on your website and to come again.”

Did you know…

Did you know that Otley Courthouse has helped create Otley Junior Orchestra, the Courthouse Choir, Otley Chamber Orchestra, Saturday Art Stars, In-House Arts, Singing for the Brain, Courthouse Rocks, Otley Science Festival, the 20/20 Science Cafe and Cafe Politique; is home to The Otley Film Society, Otley Community Players, Otley Youth Theatre, Otley Brass Band, Wharfe Brass, Performance Drama School; runs Holiday workshops for children; has a full entertainment programme of Music, Dance and Drama and has showcased acts such as Lau, Warsaw Village Band, New Model Army, Mozaic, Peatbog Faeries, Hugh Cornwell, Moishe’s Bagel, John Etheridge, Koshka, Blazin’ Fiddles, Black Umfolosi, Puressence and Shooglenifty to name but a few. “…without doubt one of the best venues in Yorkshire for traditional music” Wharfedale Observer

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We are an ‘Arts Award Supporter’ venue – find out what we can do for you here.

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